The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has significantly expanded its flagship ‘School Connect’ initiative, now offering a broader range of online certification courses to students across India. This program, driven by the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), is designed to bridge the gap between school education and higher learning by providing early exposure to cutting-edge disciplines.
Initially launched with just two courses—Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Systems—the program now includes 10 online hands-on certificate courses tailored for students of Classes X, XI, and XII. Each course runs for 8 weeks and includes engaging assignments and optional projects to enhance experiential learning.
Enrollment for the upcoming August 2025 batch is now live, with the last date to register being 25th July 2025. Schools can register and enroll students via the official portal:
code.iitm.ac.in/schoolconnect
Speaking on the broader goal of the initiative, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, stated:
“At IIT Madras, we believe that early exposure to emerging fields can spark curiosity and shape future innovators. By empowering students at a formative stage, we are investing in a future-ready nation.”
Further elaborating, Prof. Andrew Thangaraj, Chair of CODE, IIT Madras, added:
“We see this as our social responsibility – to empower young minds with early exposure to various disciplines. We are inviting more schools to join us in this mission and help students make informed career choices.”
Students can now choose from a diverse set of interdisciplinary programs, including:
Introduction to Data Science and AI
Introduction to Electronic Systems
Introduction to Architecture & Design
Fun with Math and Computing
Math Unplugged: Games & Puzzles
Introduction to Ecology
Introduction to Engineering Biological Systems
Introduction to Law
The Fundamentals of Aerospace
Humanities Unplugged
With over 2,300 schools already partnered and more than 50,000 students having benefited, IIT Madras is scaling the program to reach even more learners nationwide. The initiative offers three batches per academic year—in August, October, and January—giving students the opportunity to explore up to three different courses annually.
The institute also plans to introduce additional short-term programs across various disciplines, offering a unique opportunity for school students to gain early insights into potential academic and career paths.